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Beowulf Early History of The Danes: (To Be Continued) p.1
Beowulf Early History of The Danes: (To Be Continued) p.1
The paved road guided the men. Hrothgar, guard of the Danes, spoke:
Their war-coats shone, "I knew him when he was a boy.
the hard locks ringing His father is called Edgtheow.
as they came toward the hall. To that man Hrethel of the Geats
The sea-weary ones set gave his only daughter.
their broad, strong shields Now his offspring has come
against the building's wall, in bravery seeking a loyal friend.
then sat down on benches, Seafarers who took gifts
their armor resounding. to the Geats say that he
They stood their spears together, has the strength of thirty men
ash wood tipped with gray, in his hand grip.
an iron troop. Holy God, out of kindness,
has sent this man to us
Then a proud Danish warrior asked them: to save us from Grendel's terror.
"From where have you carried I shall give treasures
these gold-inlaid shields, to that brave man
these shirts of mail, for his impetuous courage.
masked helmets, and battle shafts? Be you in haste: go,
I am Hrothgar's messenger and officer. call in this band of kinsmen.
Never have I seen braver strangers. Say to them that they are welcome
I expect you're here to the Danish people."
to find adventure, not asylum."
Wulfgar, famous warrior,
The brave one answered him, went to the door:
he of the proud Geats tribe, "My victorious lord,
hard under his helmet: prince of the Danes,
"We are Hygelac's table companions.
Beowulf is my name.
I will declare to the great lord, (To be continued) p. 4
(Continuation of p. 4, 2nd Column) in his recklessness uses no weapons.
I, therefore, to amuse Hygelac my lord,
bids me say he knows scorn to carry sword or shield,
your noble descent and but I shall seize my enemy
that brave men who in my hand grip and fight,
come over the sea swells enemy against enemy,
are welcome to him. and let God decide
Come with your war dress, who shall be taken by death.
under your helmets, I expect, if he wins, that
to see Hrothgar, but he will eat fearlessly of
let your war shields the Geat people in this hall
and wooden spears await as he often has of yours.
the outcome of your talk." Nor will you need,
if death takes me,
The mighty one arose, worry about a burial--
surrounded by warriors, that solitary one
a mighty band of men. will carry my corpse,
Some remained with the weapons, dripping with blood,
as the brave one ordered. to a ruthless feast.
The rest hastened, If battle takes me,
as the man guided, send this best of war garments,
under Herot's roof. this shirt of mail,
to Hygelac--it is
The great warrior went, an inheritance from Hrethel
hard under his helmet, and the work of Weland.
until he stood within Fate always goes as it will!"
in his shining coat of mail,
his armor-net sewn by smiths. Hrothgar, protector of the Danes, spoke:
"Because of past kindness
Beowulf spoke: and deeds done, you have come,
"I am Hygelac's kinsman and warrior. my friend Beowulf. By a killing
I have undertaken many your father brought about
glorious deeds. I learned the greatest of feuds.
of Grendel in my native land. He was the killer of Heatholaf
Seafarers say this place, among the Wylfings. The Geats,
the best of halls, for fear of war, would not have him,
stands idle and useless so he sought us Danes
after sundown. Hrothgar, over the rolling waves. . .
the wise men among my people back when I first ruled,
advised that I seek you as a youth, this wide kingdom
because they know my strength-- of the Danish people,
they saw me come from battles this treasure city of heroes.
stained in the blood of my enemies, Heorogar was dead then,
when I destroyed a family of giants, my older brother,
when I endured pain all night, the son of Healfdene.
killing water monsters, (He was better than I!)
grinding them to bits, I paid money to settle
to avenge for the Geats your father's feud, sent
those who asked for misery. treasure over the water's back
And now I shall, alone, to the Wylfings. Your father
fight Grendel. I ask you, swore oaths to me.
lord of the Danes, It is a sorrow for me
protector of this people, to say to any man
for only one favor: what Grendel has done--
that you refuse me not, humiliations in Herot--
fair friend of the people,
do not refuse those who
have come so far the chance (To be continued) p. 5
to cleanse Herot.
I have heard that the monster
(Continuation of p. 5, 2nd Column) in the morning the waves
bore him to the Heathrames
hostile attacks on my hall warriors from whence he went home
until they are diminished, to the Brondings, beloved of them,
swept away in Grendel's horror. to his people and mead hall.
God may easily put an end Brecca fulfilled all his boast.
to that mad ravager's deeds. Because of this, though you have
Quite often have men boasted, everywhere withstood the battle storm,
over their ale-cups, I don't expect much from you
drunk on beer, if you dare await
that they would meet Grendel in the night."
Grendel's attack in the hall
with grim swords. But Beowulf spoke:
in the morning when the daylight "Well, my friend Unferth, you
shone, the mead hall was stained have said a good many things
in gore, the hall wet with about Brecca and that trip,
the blood of battle. And I had drunk on beer as you are.
a few less loyal men. Truth to tell, I had more strength
but also more hardships in the waves.
He and I were both boys
Sit now and feast, and boasted out of our youth
glory of warriors, that we two would risk
and speak your thoughts our lives in the sea.
as your heart tells you." And so we did.
With naked swords in hand,
So a bench was cleared for to ward off whales,
the Geats and the brave men we swam. Brecca could not
sat down proud in their strength. out-swim me, nor could I
out-distance him. And thus
A warrior did his duty, we were, for five nights.
bearing an etched cup It was cold weather and
and pouring sweet drink. the waves surged, driving us
The poet sang in a clear voice, apart, and the North wind came
and in Herot there was the joy like a battle in the night.
of brave men, Danes and Geats. Fierce were the waves
and the anger of the sea fish
Unferth, Ecglaf's son, stirred. My coat of mail,
who sat at the feet adorned in gold
of the king of the Danes, and locked hard by hand,
spoke, unloosing a battle-rune helped against those foes.
(The bravery of Beowulf A hostile thing drew me
was a vexation to him to the bottom in its grim grip,
because he envied any man but it was granted to me
on this middle-earth who had to reach it with my sword's
more glory than himself): point. The battle storm
"Are you that Beowulf destroyed that mighty
who struggled with Brecca sea beast through my hand.
in the broad sea And on and on evil
in a swimming contest? things threatened me.
The one who, out of pride, I served them with my sword
risked his life in the deep water as it was right to do.
though both friends and enemies Those wicked things
told you it was too dangerous? had no joy of the feast,
Are you the one who hugged did not sit at the sea's
the sea, gliding through the boiling bottom eating my bones.
waves of the winter's swell?
You and Brecca toiled
seven nights in the sea, (To be continued) p. 6
and he, with more strength,
overcame you. And
(Continuation of p. 6, 2nd Column) anyone who wishes may
happily go into the mead hall
When the morning came as morning shines
my sword had put on the children of men.
many to sleep, and even today On that day the sun
in that fiord they don't will be clothed in radiance
hinder seafarers. Light as it shines from the South!"
shone from the East,
that bright beacon of God, The giver of treasure, Hrothgar,
and the seas subsided. gray-haired and brave in battle,
I saw cliffs, the windy felt glad--the chief of the Danes
walls of the sea. could count on help.
Fate often saves That guardian of the folk
an undoomed man if heard in Beowulf firm resolution.
his courage holds.
Anyway, with my sword The men laughed, the din
I slew nine sea monsters. resounding, and the words
Nor have I heard tell turned friendly.
of a harder fight Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's queen,
or a more distressed man came forth, mindful of kin,
ever to go in the sea. adorned in gold to greet the men.
I survived the grasp First she gave the cup
of hostiles, and the sea to the country's guardian,
bore me, the surging water, that one dear to his people,
weary, into the land of the Finns. biding joy in his beer drinking.
That king famous for victories
happily took the feast cup.
I have not heard Then that woman of the Helmings
anything about you went round to each, young and old,
surviving such battles, sharing the precious cup.
such terrors of the sword. In proper time that ring-adorned
Neither Brecca nor you have queen excellent in mind
performed such deeds in brought the mead cup to Beowulf.
war sport or with shining swords. She greeted him, thanking
Yet I don't boast about it. God that her wish had
But you, your own brother's been fulfilled, that finally
murderer, shall be damned a hero had come who
and burn in Hell no matter she could count on
how strong your wit is. to stop Grendel's crimes.
I say to you truly,
son of Ecglaf, that wretch Beowulf, fierce in war,
Grendel would never have done received the cup from Wealhtheow
such horrors, such humiliations and spoke eagerly of battle:
on you chief, if you were so "I resolved when I set to sea
fierce as you suppose. in my boat with my warriors
Grendel has found that I, alone, will fulfill
he need not fear feud, the wish of your people. . .
any sword storm, or die in the foe's grasp.
from your people. I shall perform the deeds
He takes his toll, of a hero or I have passed
showing no mercy my last day in this mead hall."
to the Danish folk.
He enjoys himself, The woman liked these words,
killing and feasting, this brave speech of the Geat.
and expects no fight The gold-adorned folk queen
from the Danes. went to sit by her lord.
But I shall offer him
the battle of a Geat in (To be continued) p. 7
strength and courage.
When I get done with him,
(Continuation of p. 7, 2nd Column) and wise God, that king, shall
choose who shall win glory."
Now again, as it had been
in the old days, brave words The battle-brave one lay down then,
were spoken and the people were happy. a pillow received the warrior's face,
The gladness of warriors continued and his brave men sought rest
until the son of Healfdene around him in the hall. Not one
wished to go to his evening rest. thought he would seek home again,
Hrothgar knew the wretch see his people or birthplace.
planned to attack the hall Far too many Danes had already
after the sun had set, died there. But the Lord would
night over the hall, give victory to the Geat people,
when the shadows came helping and supporting, so that
striding dark under the clouds. one man's craft overcame all.
(It is well known that God
All the company arose. always rules the race of men.)
Warrior then saluted warrior,
Hrothgar wishing Beowulf luck Grendel Attacks Again
in his fight for the hall.
Hrothgar said these words: Came then striding in the night
"Never, since I have been able the walker of darkness.
to lift shield, have I entrusted In that gabled hall
this hall, this mighty house the warriors slept,
of the Danes, to any man. those who guarded the hall. . .
But now I entrust it to you. all but one.
Have and hold this best of houses.
Keep fame in mind, watch It was well known among men
against the foe, and make that, if God willed it not,
your valor known! You shall no one could drag
lack nothing if you that demon to the shadows.
survive this deed." But Beowulf watched
in anger, waiting
Then Hrothgar, protector the battle's outcome.
of the Danes, and his band
of warriors left the hall. Came then from the moor
Hrothgar sought the queen's bed. under the misty hills
Grendel stalking under
God, as men learned, the weight of God's anger.
had chosen a man That wicked ravager
who could fight Grendel. planned to ensnare
The chief of the Geats, many of the race of men
indeed, trusted his strength in the high hall.
and God's favor.
Beowulf took off his armor, He strode under the clouds,
off his helmet, handed seeking eagerly, till he came to
his figured sword to the attendant. the wine-hall, the treasure-hall
Beowulf, that good man, then of men decorated in gold.
spoke some brave words Nor was it the first time he
before he got in bed: had sought Hrothgar's home.
"I don't claim myself But never in his life before
any lower in strength or brave deeds --or since--
than Grendel. Therefore, I will did he find worse luck!
not kill him with a sword,
though I easily might. Came then to the building
Though he is famous for strength, that creature bereft of joys.
he knows no weapons to cut a shield. When he touched it with his hands
If he chooses to forego a sword,
if he dares seek me without weapon,
then we two shall fight without, (To be continued) p. 8
(Continuation of p. 8, 2nd Column) The monster strove to escape.
Beowulf stepped closer. That
the door gave way at once famous monster suddenly wanted
though its bands were forged to disappear into the fens.
in fire. Intending evil, He realized the power of those hands,
enraged, he swung the door wide, the wrathful grip he was in.
stood at the building's mouth. Grendel felt sorry
Quickly the foe moved he had made a trip to Herot.
across the well-made floor,
in an angry mood--a horrible light, That hall of warriors dinned.
like fire, in his eyes. All the Danes of the city,
He saw the many warriors in the building, all the brave ones, feared disaster.
that band of kinsmen asleep The building resounded.
together, and his spirit laughed: It is a wonder the wine-hall
that monster expected withstood the battle,
to rip life from the body of each that the beautiful building
one before morning came. did not fall to the ground.
He expected a plentiful meal. But it was made fast,
(It was his fate within and without,
that he eat no more with iron bands
of the race of men forged with great skill.
after that night. . .) I have heard say
many a mead bench
The mighty one, Beowulf, watched, adorned in gold
waiting to see how that wicked one went flying when
would go about starting. those hostiles fought.
Nor did the wretch delay, No wise man had ever thought
but set about seizing that splendid building could
a sleeping warrior unawares be damaged (unless a fire
and bit into his bone locks, should swallow it).
drinking the streams of blood,
then swallowing huge morsels The din rose louder, the Danes stood
of flesh. Quickly he ate that man, in dreadful terror--everyone
even to his hands and feet. heard lamentation, a terrifying
song, through the wall:
Forward Grendel came, Grendel, Hell's friend,
stepping nearer. Then God's enemy, sang in defeat,
he reached for Beowulf. bewailing his wound.
That man, mightiest
Beowulf grasped his arm of warriors alive, held fast.
and sat up. The criminal He would not
knew he had not met for any reason
in this middle-earth allow his murderous visitor
another with such a grip. to escape alive,
Grendel's spirit was afraid to keep the days of his life.
and his heart eager
to get away, to flee Beowulf's warriors brandished
to his hiding place, flee many a sword, inheritances
to the devils he kept from the ancient days,
for company. Never had he met trying to protect their chief,
a man such as this. but that did no good: they
could not have known, those
Beowulf then kept in mind brave warriors as they fought,
the speeches he had made striking from all sides, seeking
in the evening and stood to take Grendel's soul, that
upright, firmly grasping no battle sword could harm him--
Grendel's hand until
the fingers broke.
(To be continued) p. 9
(Continuation of p. 9, 2nd Column) The fated fugitive's bloody tracks
led into the water-monster's mere.
he had enchantment against There bloody water boiled,
the edges of weapons. a horrible swirl of waves
mingled with hot gore.
The end of Grendel's life was That doomed one had died,
miserable, and he would travel deprived of joy,
far into the hands of fiends. in his fen refuge, his heathen
Grendel, the foe of God, who had soul taken into Hell.
long troubled the spirits of men
with his crimes, found that After seeing that place
his body could not stand against the warriors once again
the hand grip of that warrior. rode their horses to Herot.
They spoke of Beowulf's
Each was hateful to the other glorious deed, often saying
alive. The horrible monster endured that no man under the sky's
a wound: the bone-locks expanse, North nor South
of his shoulder gave way, between the seas, no man
and his sinews sprang out. who bore a shield, was more
The glory of battle went to worthy of a kingdom. They,
Beowulf, and Grendel, however, never found fault
mortally wounded, with the gracious Hrothgar--
sought his sad home he was a good king.
under the fen slope.
He knew surely that The warriors let their
his life had reached its end, bay horses go, a contest
the number of his days gone. for the best horse,
galloping through whatever
The hope of the Danes path looked fair.
had come to pass--He Sometimes a king's man, a warrior
who came from far had covered in glory who knew
cleansed Hrothgar's hall the old traditions, would be
and saved it from affliction. reminded of an ancient song,
They rejoiced it that and he would call up words adorned
night's work. Beowulf had in truth. The man would think
fulfilled his promise of Beowulf's deeds and quickly
to the Danes and all compose a skillful tale in words.
the distress they had endured,
all the trouble and sorrow, Then he sang of things he'd heard
had reached an end. about Sigemund's valorous deeds,
untold things about Weals's son,
The fact was plain when his struggles, his wide journeys and feuds.
Beowulf laid that arm The singer told things the children
and shoulder down, there of men did not know, except for
altogether, Grendel's claw, Fitela, Sigemund's nephew, who
under the vaulted roof. stood with him in battle.
With swords those two felled
The Warriors Rejoice many from the race of giants.
After Sigemund's death day
I have heard say that not a little fame sprang to him,
on that morning warriors about his hardy fight and killing
came from near and far of a dragon, keeper of a hoard.
to look at the wonder. Under gray stone that prince alone
Grendel's death made engaged in that audacious deed,
no warrior sad. not even Fitela with him.